A Castle is born! Photo

Photographer’s Note

Castle of Good Hope:

“The origin of the "Fort de Goede Hoop" dates back to Jan van Riebeeck. The Dutch merchant who landed in Table Bay in 1652, together with 72 men and 8 women. On instruction by the Dutch-East India Trading Company the pioneers set up a port of call for their ships to stock up on provisions.

Van Riebeeck immediately started to erect a fort, surrounded by earthwalls and trenches. Initially it was made of loam and wood.

Construction of the building in stone was only started in 1666. It took about 30 years to complete. The stone blocks that were used were brought in from Holland. It is the oldest stone building in South Africa. In the early years it was the centre of community life and administration.

Today the Castle of Good Hope is the oldest building in South Africa. It has the shape of a pentagon with five corner bulwarks and an almost 10 metre high wall from massive boulders. The castle now forms the military headquarters for the Cape Province and houses the museum of the William Fehr Collection.

The famed Kat Balcony (see photo), with its sculpture by Anton Anreith, is certainly the most beautiful aspect of the Castle.

The Castle is open daily from 9am to 4pm. The Key Ceremony takes place on weekdays at 10 am and the Change of Guards at 12 o'clock.”

Shutter: 1/1000, F/3.5, ISO100

Davidwh, imrek, ChrisJ, Uhu has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pat0500 (21505) 2006-10-11 10:36

Hi Lynette,
Very good picture and good point of view.
Very good scene,good capture.
Well done,
patrick

Davidwh (3652) 2006-10-11 10:54

Hi Lynette,
First of all.....congrats on your up and coming wedding in merry scotland.I wish you all the best!A lovely picture with deep strong colour and well balanced light.I like the perspective you have chosen rather than the traditional front-on.Good detail...beautiful deep blue sky.Keep well!
Regards, david

imrek (4) 2006-10-11 15:58

HI Lynette,
very well composed scene the entrance is nicely off centred and polaricer add good contrast here...well done!!
regards,
imre
i*ll back

ChrisJ (69588) 2006-10-12 5:03

Hi Lynette

Good colour lighting sharpness & pov. The tourists add scale & context. Tfs!

Uhu (7334) 2006-10-12 16:04

I never knew much about South Africa before, but your notes and photos gives so much to learn about the country. Well, that'a what TE is for, so to speak, and your photos fitting it very good. Good photo and great informative note!